The Political Impact of the War

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The Political Impact of the War

• How did the war affect each of the main parties?

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What was the state of the three parties in 1914?
Draw the boxes upwards to show the relative
strength of the three parties
LIBERAL
LABOUR
CONSERVATIVE
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THE LIBERAL PARTY

• Consider each of the following and decide how it
  affected the Liberal Party
• The need to fight total war DORA
• Censorship
• Working with the military
• Conducting secret negotiations with other
  countries e.g. Italy 1915
• The Shell Scandal May 1915

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• Coalition government - The Asquith coalition
  Asquith Prime Minister Bonar Law Colonial
  Secretary Balfour replaced Churchill as First
  Lord of the Admiralty Lloyd George new
  Minister of Munitions.
• Was this a good or bad event for the Liberal
  Party?

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• July 1916 Kitchener drowned and Lloyd George
  became Minister of war as well. He wanted to
  introduce conscription.
• Why?
• Why were many Liberals against this?
• January 1916 conscription was introduced. Was
  this a good or bad thing for the Liberal Party?

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• Lloyd George suggested a small war cabinet.
  Why?
• He wanted himself as chairman, Bonar Law and
  Edward Carson, the Ulster Unionist. Asquith
  would remain as Prime Minister but take no part
  in the war cabinet. Why didnt Asquith like the
  scheme.
• Asquith reluctantly accepted the plan and then
  changed his mind and rejected it.
• Everyone resigned!
• Lloyd George was asked to become Prime Minister.

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How did the Asquith/Lloyd George split affect the
party?
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THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY

• Short term some historians outbreak of war
  was a setback in a process of steady recovery
  since the three election defeats in 1906 and
  1910. Also Lloyd George in 1916. Didnt come to
  power again until 1922 longest period in modern
  British history.

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• Other historians 1915 to 1939 a period of
  Conservative ascendancy. Therefore a short term
  setback but the war had long term benefiting
  effects. Out of office for nine months in 1924
  and between 1929-31.

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Reasons for long term gains

• the Conservatives political philosophy was
  better able to respond to the key issues which
  emerged during the conflict. Conscription DORA
  Ireland
• While the Conservatives remained united, the
  Liberals divided
• It helped Bonar Law regain his credibility with
  his party.

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Andrew Bonar Law
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THE LABOUR PARTY

• Some historians Labours strength was growing
  before war broke out and the party was on course
  to replace the Liberal party as one of the two
  main political parties.
• Other historians the Labour Party was very much
  the third party when war broke out and the war
  provided a turning point in the partys fortunes.

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• Short term served to emphasise the divisions in
  the party. Ramsay MacDonald resigned as Chairman
  of the Parliamentary Labour Party and was joined
  by Philip Snowden and a small group of ILPs.
• Long term it was undoubtedly beneficial. Arthur
  Henderson became the new chairman and joined
  Lloyd Georges cabinet. Why was this good?

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• Henderson resigned from the Cabinet in August
  1917.
• February 1918 The Representation of the People
  Act gives the vote to all men over 21 and most
  women over the age of 30. Increased the number
  of working class voters. How did this help
  Labour?
• Hendersons resignation allowed him to
  concentrate on the reorganisation of the Labour
  Party.

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• Hendersons reorganisation
• Local Labour parties were open to individual
  membership.
• NEC went up to 20 11(13) from trade unions and
  socialist societies.
• NEC to be elected by annual conference.
• Increased fees from trade unions.
• A commitment to socialism. Clause IV (Accepted
  in February 1918)
• Why was this good for Labour?

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• Sidney Webbs programme July 1918 second
  party conference. Four main elements a national
  minimum wage and minimum standard of working
  conditions democratic control of industry
  (vague) financial reform heavy taxes on big
  incomes to fund social services surplus wealth
  to be used for the common good.
• Why was this god for Labour?

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What was the state of the three parties in 1918?
Draw the boxes upwards to show the relative
strength of the three parties
LIBERAL
LABOUR
CONSERVATIVE